It’s not always what we
think. Sometimes it isn’t even close to what
it sounds like. What someone told you
might be wrong. Surprise - you may have
been misinformed!

This is good advice for all of
life, not just the fire service. We had
a call years ago that was dispatched as “MVA car into trailer.” Looking for an accident on the highway was
our first mistake! A car sped downhill (in
their own driveway) and crashed into a modular home, knocking it off the
foundation. Dispatch was entirely
accurate, but we thought it meant something else. We were looking for a tractor trailer and car
in the roadway. This certainly
reinforces the benefit of keeping our eyes open, reevaluating what we hear, and
especially of giving a clear and accurate size up, that is for sure.

How often do we check the
accuracy of details for ourselves? I
know we need to trust one another, but trust is earned and proven over
time. We are responsible to verify what
our own eyes see, with what we are told for our own safety. I love what is says in Proverbs 18:17 “The
first person to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to
question him” (Good News translation). How quickly the comments rage on Facebook when a photo is posted, both
good and bad, without knowing the details.

As a former fire commissioner,
I recognize how important it is to seek out sources and experts, to verify and
confirm the latest rumor regarding the most recent changes. We can keep ourselves up to date and out of a
lot of trouble - if we simply take the time to confirm the source and review (examine)
the accuracy of our own understanding, before we react and repeat an inaccuracy.
I know, it is so much easier to form an
opinion before doing any research. Look
into it, see what you can find. You may
be surprised.

Once I was told NFPA could
fine and shut a fire department down! Those of us who know the system, know that in New York State, PESH does
inspections and has the authority to give warnings and/or fine for violations,
not NFPA (they have the extensive written volumes of safety standards). We need to get our facts straight. Good leaders recognize there are always two or
three opinions, sometimes even four perspectives!

Here is a more tangible
example of how confusion can spread. Not
everyone has read the Best Practices document for themselves - some just rely
on what another person told them … that someone said … whose friend from a
neighboring department (you get the idea) was at a seminar over a year ago when
it first came out.

Knowing the purpose and intent
can change everything. If we don’t, it
is so easy to misinterpret another’s words, actions or reactions. Take this
situation: You just get back from a good
save. You are tired, dirty and ready to
rest. The truck has to be put back together
and ready for the next run. You ask one
of the firefighters where the TIC is and they jump down your throat about how
they didn’t even use it and storm out of the bay. You weren’t upset, but you accidently
discovered someone who was. Most of us
have either seen or been part of a similar exchange.

So what is really going on
here? Are they just cranky because they
are “hangry” and someone needs to hand them a Snickers bar? Did the Chief come down hard on them
yesterday for not putting tools back where they belong after use – for the
third time – and you accidently stepped into it? Maybe their best pal just got diagnosed with
cancer and doesn’t want many folks to know yet, so that information is still
all bottled up inside.

It probably isn’t you. Occasionally we run into folks having a bad
day. Maybe their glucose levels are
plummeting or their new blood pressure medicine isn’t helping at all. It could be one of more than a dozen personal
or health issues that have nothing to do with you. Walk away from assuming the ‘worst case
scenario conclusion’ and wait till you have more details. There is always more to the story. Save the habit of being prepared for the worst
for what you do, not for jumping to conclusions in relationships.

Don’t take things so
personally. Adrenaline tends to make all
of us a little crazy – at least once in our careers. Isn’t that part of what we love about this
job?

Another version of Proverbs
18:17 puts it this way “The person who tells one side of a story seems right,
until someone else comes and asks questions” (New Century Version). Be the person who asks questions. Ask other firefighters how they are
doing. Make sure you accurately understand
the intent and purpose of changes that come down the pike.

We have been handling changes
for years, and it seems to come quicker all the time with new technology and the
ability to communicate simultaneously on multiple medias. Find out for yourselves and don’t just take
someone else’s word for it.

The Book of Proverbs has lots
of good tidbits of information. It is a
source of the timeless Wisdom of Solomon and still applies to humanity
today. Take a look and see what else is
in there! Trust me, you really will be
glad you did - but do your own research - don’t just take my word for it. Go
straight to the source, confirm it, discuss it with others and come to your own
conclusion.

Barrie-Lyn
Foster served as Chief Chaplain of the New York State Association of Fire
Chaplains (www.nysafc.org) from 2009-2012. She is member of FASNY, CCAES, NCVFA, CNYFA,
and Aurelius Volunteer Fire Department. She has served as Secretary, Lieutenant, Captain, Fire District
Commissioner, Fire Chaplain, EMT, and is a Certified Fire Instructor.